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Black Isle 12-year-old honoured as Child of Courage in Pride of Scotland Awards to be broadcast on STV for fantastic fundraising efforts for RNLI in memory of his father


By Val Sweeney

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Keiran Reid (12), of Avoch, is honoured as a Child of Courage in The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards.
Keiran Reid (12), of Avoch, is honoured as a Child of Courage in The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards.

The fantastic fundraising efforts of a 12-year-old for the RNLI in memory of his father who died at sea have been recognised with a Child of Courage award.

Keiran Reid, of Avoch, is among the unsung heroes honoured in The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards supported by TSB.

The awards ceremony, which was hosted by actress Elaine C.Smith and comedian and writer Sanjeev Kohli at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, will broadcast tonight on STV.

Keiran was just six when his dad, Craig (25), was washed overboard from the fishing trawler Apollo, near Orkney in 2016.

The coastguard helicopters, the military and RNLI searched tirelessly for many hours. His body was found three months later.

Keiran, along with his family and friends, decided to help their local rescue lifeboats.

The youngster helped take part in a fundraising car wash and then went on to have his own fundraising event, a bike ride and fancy dress.

Members of the Kessock RNLI welcomed Keiran back to their annual charity car washes and open days where he helped them to raise thousands of pounds.

Many would hear about how inspiring Keiran is and would post donations, learning that the lifeboats are crewed by volunteers and rely on donations.

Five years on, he has helped to raise more than £10,000 for the RNLI and when he is old enough, he would like to join the volunteer crew members who have become like family.

"Fundraising is my way of thanking and remembering my dad, he enjoyed washing cars and I will never forget him," Keiran said.

"Helping to raise money for my local North Kessock Lifeboat team makes sure he won't be forgotten.

"I plan to keep raising money for the RNLI – they have made me more than welcome over the years"

Stan McCrae, operations manager at Kessock Lifeboat Station, said: "The whole crew is very proud of Keiran and his fantastic fundraising."

Black Isle youngster in running for Young Scot Award

Keiran Reid (12) was honoured at the Pride of Scotland awards ceremony for his efforts in raising thousands of pounds for the RNLI.
Keiran Reid (12) was honoured at the Pride of Scotland awards ceremony for his efforts in raising thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

Elaine C.Smith said it was an honour to host the Pride of Scotland again and shine a light on unsung heroes from across Scotland.

"These heroes rarely seek attention yet what they do changes and transforms the lives of others – whether that’s in one simple act or in a lifetime’s work," she said.

New host for 2022 Sanjeev Kohli said he was "absolutely thrilled" to present the Pride of Scotland Awards with his co-host.

"I always love the opportunity to shine a light on people who genuinely deserve it, and there is no better place for that than Pride of Scotland," he said.

Kieran Reid, winner of the Child of Courage award, with presenters Allan McGregor and Eilidh Barbour at the Pride of Scotland awards ceremony.
Kieran Reid, winner of the Child of Courage award, with presenters Allan McGregor and Eilidh Barbour at the Pride of Scotland awards ceremony.

Famous faces honouring this year’s inspirational winners include actors Eddie Redmayne, John Hannah, Laurie Brett, Joe McFadden, Sam Heughan, Kirsty Pickering, Jenny Hulse, Gavin Mitchell, Charlotte Emerson, Charlene Boyd, Nat J Rob and Ruby Barker, TV and radio personalities Gordon Ramsey, Lorraine Kelly, Stephen Mulhern, Carol Vorderman, Paige Turley and Finn Tapp, Laura Anderson, Anna Campbell Jones, Danni Menzies, Kelly Ann Woodland and Martin Dougan, musicians Lulu, Nathan Evans, Nina Nesbitt and Saint PHNX, sportspeople Lewis Hamilton, Leon King, Allan McGregor, Andrew Simpson, Owen Miller and comedians Ricky Gervais, Chris Forbes, Greg Hemphill and Kieron Achara.

Robin Bulloch, chief executive of TSB, said his organisation was delighted to support the awards, and it had been a real pleasure for him to be part of this year’s judging panel.

"There were so many inspirational stories from all over Scotland, it was incredibly tough to choose between them," he said.

* The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards are screened on STV tonight at 8pm.


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